The York Dispatch (Pennsylvania)

Photo courtesy of IAFF Local 60 James Robeson at a previous incident.

SCRANTON, Pa. —  A veteran city firefighter was killed while battling a house blaze that also claimed the lives of two residents, authorities say.

Capt. James Robeson was killed Sunday when electricity from nearby power lines struck the bucket lift of a ladder truck. Authorities said three other firefighters were injured by the charge.

Residents Richard Fenstermacher, 82, and Maria Fenstermacher, 87, also died in the 7:10 a.m. fire, state police in Dunmore said.

Mayor Chris Doherty called the deaths of the three a "tremendous loss to our community."

Robeson and firefighter Jennifer Hawker had ascended in the bucket lift when electricity from the lines jumped to the truck, electrocuting Robeson and shocking Hawker and two firefighters near the truck, officials said.

Robeson, who had been a firefighter for 24 years, was pronounced dead at 8:10 a.m. in Community Medical Center, Deputy Coroner Tim Rowland said. City public safety director Ray Hayes said one of the other firefighters was uninjured, and injuries to the other two were not life-threatening.

Neighbor Johanna Luscher watched the firefighters lower the bucket lift and pull out their comrades.

"I couldn't believe it. It was horrible," she said. "They're just trying to do their job, and this happens."

State police, who are heading the investigation, are looking into whether firefighters asked PPL to shut power off only to the home or also to power lines running above the home. PPL spokesman Rich Beasley said the company was also investigating and declined further comment.

Trooper Bill Satkowski said Sunday the cause of the fire had not been determined, and he declined to say where the blaze started in the home. Investigators had determined that Robeson died from arcing electricity, Satkowski said.

The mayor said the death of city residents in a blaze is rare enough, but to lose a firefighter in the line of duty compounds the tragedy. The last known death of an emergency responder was that of an ambulance worker in 1981.

"Everyday we hear the sirens and take for granted what they're doing," Doherty said. "And this reminds us all aspects of the job ... even getting in that bucket ... it's a dangerous, dangerous job."

 

Copyright 2008 York Newspapers, Inc.
All Rights Reserved